JULY 23 MEETING: MORE DISCUSSION, SOME REZONING, SIGNAGE, ORDINANCES, AND A NEW “REPORT A CONCERN” FEATURE ON THE TOWN WEBSITE

At Monday night’s town board meeting, commissioners decided to continue discussions with the Lone Survivor Foundation program to potentially bring a military retreat complex near Cotton Fire Department. This property deal has become clouded in confusion and rumors and speculation over the past month or so, as so much does. Public hearings should be held during future board meetings.

Commissioners also decided to have the town attorney work up some appropriate panhandling ordinances. They are expected to largely mirror the ordinances in Fayetteville.

They rezoned the Robinson Family Center property on Blackbridge Rd., but no changes to the site plan or current permits are planned. The new zoning status is more restrictive to future uses for the property, but allows for the builders to pursue more flexible financing options as they build.

Commissioners ordered the town staff to include “SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK” warning signs at the lake as a permanent status during the swimming season, rather than updating the swim permission on a weekly basis with a red/yellow/green card system. They also agreed to report water quality testing results on the town website and social media pages, and to install ropes and buoys to mark the lake swimming area.

Town Manager Melissa Adams also revealed a new REPORT A CONCERN feature on the town website where residents can report concerns to town staff. Reporting requires setting up an account, but it helps them keep track of requests for repairs and complaints about roads and other needs in town, until the problems are resolved.